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grandeldress
Reviews
Lloyd & Hill (2001)
Just what I was looking for!
I'm a fan of British police dramas; I wanted something low-key & interesting. Lloyd & Hill fit the bill. Philip Glenister (Life on Mars & Ashes to Ashes) is a favorite so that's why I chose this. I was pleasantly pleased to find John Light from Father Brown & the familiar face of Shaun Dingwall also in the cast.
If you want intense, this isn't for you; but the "who done it?" aspect kept me unsure until the end. Not super obviously nor something from left field but a very watchable crime drama.
Character development may seem a bit flat, but sometimes the drama between characters can detract from a good story. And it's obvious that this was a potential for a series with the opportunity to fill out both Lloyd & Hill as well as the supporting cast. Alas, that wasn't done.
Recommend.
If I Had You (2006)
Good who-done-it
Seems I have watched all the current shows that are of interest to me so had to choose something older. One reviewer shared that this was a pared down from several episodes so the slight lack of detail in some areas made better sense; that said, too many episodes may have caused the story to drag.
Little by little we learn the relationship of most of the characters, both in the present & the past. Everyone seemed to be intertwined. I suspected everyone at one time or another which kept me involved with the stories though, for me, I wasn't really sure until the very end. I recommend this to anyone interested in this genre.
The Brokenwood Mysteries (2014)
I really want to like this show.
I tried Brokenwood and enjoyed it for what it was; slightly quirky murder mystery show with characters learning about each other & their respective idiosyncrasies. Not award winning, but watchable & entertaining. But as time went by, little by little, I noticed the box-ticking details. I'm not giving up on it just yet, but I've a feeling from some of the other reviews that the Brokenwood will decline from here. Too bad. Mike, Sims & Breen make for a nice blend & the supporting characters, Jared, Frodo & the medical examiner add texture to the show. The New Zealand setting is lovely. Give it a try; it's worth a look.
Spacey Unmasked (2024)
Don't bother
I saw the Dan Wooten interview with Kevin Spacey prior to watching this so I had an idea of how this would go. The Wooten interview at times seemed a bit rehearsed; after all, Spacey is an actor. Spacey (without seeing the documentary or knowing who was it is) seemed to admit that some of the encounters may have occurred, but the men were willing participants. I had heard all of the accusations in the Wooten interview & could only get to the marine in the documentary. If this is the kind of guy that serves in the marines, then we are doomed; a self-pleasuring man in a movie theatre is traumatic? Grow a pair, getup & walk away. And this event took place willingly after an initial uncomfortable experience. There's something wrong here.
It's difficult to decide if Spacey pursued them to test the waters or if they pursued Spacey to move their career along or a bit of both. He said, he said. Waste of time.
Channel 4 missed the mark on everything.
The Accident (2019)
The more I think about The Accident the more I liked it.
Perhaps like isn't exactly the right word; this is a dark, depressing story. Others have given the story line so I'll not do that.
My overarching impression was: none of these people are particularly likable. But sad to say, they are representative of a lot of people just struggling to get by as their livelihood & way of life disintegrates before their eyes. Businesses close, jobs lost, life is a tough.
So many conflicts are shown: parent/child, husband/wife, elite business/lower class townspeople, executive/subordinate, truth/lies, trust/betrayal. It is certainly worth a watch but it's not entertainment but a window to a way of life that (sadly) exists.
Under the Vines (2021)
Seems fine but--
When a series feels the need to describe a piece of artwork as non-binary, using "they" pronoun, I'm done. That seems petty, I'm sure, but I'm tired of my entertainment choices pushing their inclusive agendas at me.
This show was far from unique but the characters, though stereotypically quirky, were watchable & had potential for development. Alternatively, trying too hard to be clever, the whole thing could have fallen flat. Based on the other reviews, views either loved this show or hated it. Give it a try if you are open minded & not too particular as I think this show is watchable, though not for me.
Striking Out (2017)
Striking out describes this series perfectly
I chose this because I wanted to see what kind of character Neil Morrisey played but couldn't stick with it long enough to even see him. I think I have eclectic taste in the shows I watch, but I do have a couple of things that are a real turn off for me. Striking Out checked those boxes quickly for me. A sex scene early on, especially with nudity & vocals, is strike one. The main actress seemed off to me from the start. Then the same-sex kiss was the last straw. Seemed to tick off boxes more than set up interest in the story for me. Turned off Striking Out there & never liked back. Based on the other reviews that stated that there's was no ending to this story mad3 me certain I did the right thing.
Save your time & skip this.
The Madame Blanc Mysteries (2021)
Wanted to like this but...
This was described as a cozy mystery so I didn't expect a serious mystery drama. Glad to see main characters a bit older & ( for the most part) looking like regular people. The "lovebird couple" was a bit over the top but, oh well. The bartender & wife were annoying but a bar/restaurant is always a good place to get people together. The mysteries were simple, but fun; I wasn't bothered by poor writing as some reviewers mentioned.
One thing I liked was that each episode had its own dilemma, but there was an ongoing thread that had not been solved yet. Alas, I will never know what Barbara's deal was. A same-sex couple every couple of episodes was a thumbs down for me. Maybe someday I will try it again but for now I'm gone.
Payback (2023)
Very well done!
This is the best thing I have seen in a long time. Both plot & characters were well developed and kept my interest until the end. About mid-way through I saw several possible outcomes with different villains, heroes & just plain victims. None of the characters were caricatures of the type person they portrayed; no stereotypically stupid bad guys and the female lead was neither hysterically needy nor obnoxiously assertive. Various clues were given throughout and the story could have gone many ways. I Don't want to give any spoilers, but I was pleased with the outcome.
I definitely recommend this series.
Murder on the Blackpool Express (2017)
Best thing I've seen for awhile
Not usually a fan of comedies, but the dramas I have seen lately were very poor so checked this out. I was pleasantly surprised. I thought the dialogue was clever & humorous; I laughed out loud at several points. Nothing was particularly original, but it wasn't a carbon copy of anything else in particular just another who-done-it with a finite group of people traveling/staying together with members dying one by one. I liked the character choices; the senior citizen ladies were delightful yet not the stereotypes often seen in show of this type.
I thought this was a delightful movie, well worth the time to watch it. With a bit of a surprise to me at the end.
The House Across the Street (2022)
What was the point?
Was hoping for an interesting who-done-it but this was a mess of sad, depressing people. I'm usually a fan of movies presented in 3-6 parts where the viewer can get more details of the story, but this could have been cut down to 3, possibly even 2, easily; too much filler of standing &watching & walking through the darkness.
Was interesting to see Moaning Myrtle ( of Harry Potty fame) but that voice was almost too much to bear. Claudia was a sad person; her cancer was gone, but so was her husband, her marriage, her son, any happiness she may have in her life ( or perhaps not, we never get a sense of her life before this) and her mental health. She seemed to want to fit in with her neighbors, but they were immersed in their own drama. Ironically, Craig Parkinson was the most likeable character; in Line of Duty & Whitechapel he played villainous roles so it was interesting for him to not be the bad guy although for awhile you weren't sure. The story was convoluted & a bit confusing, with several things that seemed to have no meaning ( the underwear thing, for one.) I nearly lost interest several times but wanted to learn who kidnapped/killed the girl; I did foresee the ending, flawed though it was. At last it was over.
From Darkness (2015)
Final scene redeemed this film for me!
Starts out as a cold case with the investigator reaching out to a former cop for assistance. Seems they were lovers as well as co-workers so there is a lot of drama/history between them. Neither of these characters, actually, none of the characters in the entire piece were likeable to me. In addition to that, most of the men looked similar & the story moved soooo slowly; the 4 episodes could have easily have been cut down to 2. Pensive closeups of the female lead and the broodiness of the male lead were repetitive & boring. I quickly didn't care if they lovers got together or if they made it up with their spouses.
I stuck to the story just to find out just who was responsible for this these crimes --oops, were there 2 perpetrators? The plot was okay; a bit convoluted, but poorly executed. As the pieces finally started to come together, I told myself that I didn't really care who lived "happily ever after." The ending caught me by surprise; actually made me gasp, then laugh. Perfect ending to a less than perfect movie.
Watch if you have 4 hours to waste.
Blindspot (2023)
Not the greatest movie I ever watched, but far from the worst.
Early in the story, when the young lady wheeled herself out of danger faster than the bad guy could run, I knew the writing would not be stellar; but many of the scripts today leave much to be desired. The viewer must pay attention to the opening act to get the personalities & relationship of the main characters; Better editing may have made the story follow a bit more smoothly. I was waiting for a reason Hannah had shaved hair one year later but none was ever given.
Hannah, in my opinion, was not a likeable character, none of them were actually, but the who-done-it aspect held my attention throughout. Everyone was less than honest, forthcoming & helpful, and looked guilty and/or possibly involved at some point. Many twists & turns. I didn't expect the ending; I was glad I stuck with it.
Shut In (2022)
Wasn't sure what to expect
It's been awhile since I've watched a new movie that I even half-way enjoyed; thought I would try one of the new Daily Wire + offerings to see what they had to offer. I find it interesting that the reviews seem to run from love it to hate it. I didn't love it but I certainly didn't hate it. Perhaps it was a bit darker than I wanted to watch at this particular time but that isn't the fault of the movie.
That said, Shut In was well done. So many movies today seem too over the top - constant swearing, unnecessary nudity, graphic violence; not the case here. It was nice to watch something that wasn't offensive but was still for grown ups. Not exactly a feel-good movie but there is a positive message. I recommend giving it a try.
Shetland (2013)
Hoping for improvement in upcoming season
Huge fan of Douglas Henshall's Jimmie Perez so I was sure Shetland without him would fall short. It did. Ruth Calder was acceptable in season 8 but I'm hoping she will be a one off. Perhaps instead of replacing the man at the top, Tosh could be in charge & Sandy (written as a stronger character) her second in command & a new, lower ranked person could join the team. I also like the character of Billie, in the background but holding everything together.
The season 8 story was watchable; lots of possibilities & the acerbic personality of Calder pushing up against the entire Shetland team kept my interest. We did see a bit of her softer side toward the end, but she leave Shetland permanently imho. This dynamic would get old quickly & having her be Tosh's Boss? Not a chance!
Would also like to see Mark Bonnar's Duncan make a return to Shetland. Release from prison & return home, perhaps? We'll see.
The Man Who Invented Christmas (2017)
I'm so glad I found this movie
While searching for a decent Christmas movie to watch this popped up. Since I am a huge fan of Dickens' Christmas Carol I thought I'd give it a watch. So glad I did. Every year we watch the Reginald Owen 1938 version, the Alastair Sim version & the George C Scott version. The Man Who Invented Christmas will be added to that list.
I knew a bit about the life of Dickens; the way this merged his past & present, his reality and his fantasy was very entertaining. All the actors were wonderful in their roles and the portrayal of the life of Dickens superimposed with the life of Scrooge was entertaining. This movie ticked all the boxes. Highly recommended.
Spooks: The Lesser of Two Evils (2002)
Really?
I like this show a lot. At this point the characters are falling into place & we the view is learning a bit about their lives off the grid; but Tom's personal decisions make me cringe. This girlfriend is awful & that daughter! Who tells a child that mommy's boyfriend in a spy? It's no wonder Tom has the problems he has in the future. This episode is a low point.
On the positive side, however, Zoe tells about Tessa's scam & she gets booted. At least for awhile. Danny is being drawn more to Zoe & Harry is shown more as the leader of the section where some of the earlier ones seemed to put Tom in that position.
Still Life (2013)
Best movie I've seen in a long time
I can't remember the last time I cried, really cried, at a movie. Tears are still falling. I only watched it because Eddie Marsan was in it. I have seen him in several other things playing rather nasty characters, but I have found that British actors seem to play differing style characters I so I gave this a try. So glad I did. A touching presentation of human interaction and the loneliness of life. Mr. May show such compassion to strangers while living a solitary life himself it was so nice to see him interacting in a positive way, even smiling & daring to see happiness ahead. I didn't see the ending coming! And the very last scene..I went from a frantic OH NO to tears of real compassion.
Black Work (2015)
Didn't see that coming!
Don't like to compare this series with others; yes, there are (many) police procedurals that are more realistic but I don't mind suspending reality once & a while for a nicely done show. I found the main character a bit flat & almost a bit unlikeable & I agree that a couple of the supporting officers looked enough alike to cause some confusion as to exactly who was doing what. And I agree that a shorter format might have worked better as there was much repetition that slowed the story down. Though I wasn't aware when choosing this show, I was pleased to see Phil Davis & Douglas Henshall, 2 of my favorite British actors, in the cast.
Not high drama, but watchable.
Stonehouse (2023)
Watched this only because Matthew McFayden was in it
Didn't know anything.about John Stonehouse so had no idea what this movie was about, but as a fan of McFayden I was eager to watch it. And when I saw Keelie Hawes in this credits, knowing the two of them were married I was really interested. It was a different role & look for Matthew, but I think he did a great job of playing this man. Whether the script was accurate to reality I cannot say but John Stonehouse was a complex person to say the least. Was he an arrogant narcissistic? A fool? Naive? Calculating? At certain times in this piece I considered him all of those things. Most likely suffering from some sort of mental illness. I liked it.
Miss Scarlet & the Duke (2020)
Cute but...
I gave this a try but was not impressed. While visually appealing, quite true to the period portrayed and stories/cases that were not bad, I felt like there was a chorus of "I am woman, hear me roar" looping in the background. Seems to me that as her father taught Eliza to be attentive and problem-solve, he would also have taught her how to play in the man's world of the time without alienating said men. And if the Duke had been a lifelong friend, he might be better attuned to her strong personality & better equipped to work with her rather than being as dismissive as he was.
After a few episodes I felt like I was watching the same thing over and over. Gave it up after a couple of seasons.
I've watched worse, but there are many ether choices out there.
Flesh and Blood (2020)
Great watch
At first glance I thought this was just another multigenerational family dealing with their "stuff." Ho-hum. But after watching the trailer, I decided to give it a try. I'm glad I did.
After a short friendship, a widow introduces her adult children to her new man and they are not happy. Little by little we are exposed to the lives of the children; each has disfunction & secrets. Early on, the viewer becomes aware that someone has been injured, possibly dead. As the police question each family member (and a neighbor who has been close to the family for years) we are made aware of the discrepancies between what happened & what they tell the police.
There were many familiar faces here & most did an outstanding job. I am unfamiliar with Keir Charles (George) but he seemed mis-cast to me. Stephen Rea (Mark) was also new to me but he was perfect for the role.
Flesh & Blood was very well done & kept me interested & guessing to the end. Well worth watching!
Mrs Wilson (2018)
Truth is stranger than fiction
I watched and liked the first episode before I noticed Mrs. Wilson was a real story about a real person; and Ruth Wilson was playing her own grandmother. I enjoyed the show even more after learning that, even though ( as I learned after doing some research) some liberties were taken with the facts to make a more watchable experience for the viewer.
Newly widowed after a 20 year marriage, Mrs (Allison) Wilson discovers that there is another Mrs. Wilson, Gladys. It doesn't stop there. The funeral of Mr. Wilson brings more people into the mix with, ultimately, more often conflicting information about him. Spanning 2 wars & involving MI5 & MI6 one wonders where truth ends & fiction begins.
Very watchable. Very interesting.
The Rig (2023)
Disappointing
I wanted to enjoy this show but it fell short. I usually make it to end of a piece no matter how bad but I only made 3 episodes of this before deciding not to waste my time.
The promos reminded me of the Fog, updated for modern viewers but The Rig certainly missed the mark. Perhaps ticking the diversity & political correctness boxes left little room for a good storyline.
When Mark Bonnar was killed off early on, my interest started to wane; he's one of my favorite actors. Martin Compston's character seemed flat while Owen Teale's was over the top angry. Both of them are fine actors suffering in this with poor script &/or direction.
Condensing this to 2 or 3 episodes may have helped. Bu5 I doubt it.